Mason said, "Some people say look, these people should not have been in homes in the first place. They can't really afford them."

"The problem is not who we made the mortgages too. It's the mortgage product," replied Marks.

Across the country, Marks organizes arena-sized mortgage counseling sessions which have drawn more than 300,000 people.

Why does he do it? As CEO, Marks earns $150,000 a year. But the root of his almost religious fervor may be the severe stutter he had as a child. Marks said it made him sympathize with others who were held back - whether because of poverty or race.

What some see as his fighting spirit, others say is a publicity grab.

"I've been called all kinds of things," said Marks. "So whether it's Robin Hood or bank terrorist or whatever - one thing people don't say is that we're not effective."